[Skyglow Hold] Returning to your Profession

[Fenilen]

Ivak. Funny name, he had never heard it before. Sounded kind of silly. Almost as silly as the word architecture. The man's face scrunched up slightly as he thought, and then he spoke. "Who is Ivak? Enemy of yours? Seems hard to believe rivalries exist here. Everyone too calm," Fenilen spoke curiously, tilting his head. His earrings tinkled as he did so, glass beads clicking together. "Pretty," was all he said when she loosed an inquiry about her appearance. Then she commented on his prayer. A small vein of irritation had been pricked. Had she never heard Nari before? Had she no respect for prayers to the Goddess that granted them the substance that was used at the center of glassblowing? A frown played across his face.

"I was praying," he said, his voice transmitting a tone of hurt. Fine, the furnace was hot enough. He approached it, grabbing one of the clay pipes from a rack next to the furnace, twirling it twice to get a feel for it. Different from the pipes he was used to, but he would make due. Then, Faycia leaned in close to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, speaking in a hushed, seductive tone. Fenilen shuddered, but not as much as he had the times she had gotten close to him beforehand. Ignore her. He was in his element. He responded softly, simply, and honestly, with a few brief words. "Something tells me thats not all you want to teach me, Faycia."

He rolled his pipe in the crucible, surrounding the end in a clump of red hot glass. He then removed it, carrying it gracefully over to the table. On his way, he grabbed a wooden block. Fenilen's dexterous fingers began to spin the pipe-- glass included-- over the table, placing the block just above it's surface. He cut off some of the extra glass with the block, humming and chirping as he did so.

"Care what we make?" he asked curiously, his voice sounding slightly panicked towards the end of his sentence. He stretched his arm over his piece, saving it from certain destruction. The far end had been drooping, on the verge of falling off onto the table. That would not have been fun. Not in the slightest.

[Cheshire]

Was this boy socially innept? How could he have never heard of Ivak? He was one of the most well known Gods. "Inarta, are you dense? How do you not know who Ivak is? The God of Fire and Volcanism? How are you a glassblower and no nothing of Ivak?" Faycia was a very self concious woman. She did not know that Inarta simply did not know of Ivak or any of the events having to do with the Valterian. She did not know simply because she did not care. If it was not something she could flirt with or make out of glass she simply did not care about it. "I do not think I could ever say that Ivak is my enemy. I feel as though that would be a death wish. I don't feel like getting burnt to a crisp, thank you very much." She smiled at the man and played with her hair. It was a habit she had when flirting with guys. "Well mister red head, I think you aren't too bad yourself!" She had a very girly smile on her face. "Shame I have a husband. I've never been with an Inarta. Although what my man doesn't know won't hurt him." Fenilen's discontent with Faycia's comment about his praying was quite obvious on his face. She frowned and placed her hands on her dainty hips. "Sorry birdman, I didn't mean to offend you. I think it is good that you pray in your native tounge before working. I should pray more but... I guess I just don't. One would think as a Vantha I would be a little more spiritual." She pondered on this fact for a moment and then shrugged it off. It was not worth worrying about. A playful smile danced on Faycia's face. "I can teach you whatever you like Inarta. I am not just good at blowing glass..." A sultry look was aimed right at Fenilen. For once she held back though. The man had asked what they were going to make out of glass. She suddenly remembered why the Inarta was in her shop. "Oh yeah, i was supposed to teach him how to use Avanthal Furnaces..." Vannis already had an eye on the flirtatious artisan. She was not exactly the hardest worker but as the cities best glass blower she got a little leway in her work. "Lets make..." She pulled off her glove and tapped her lip thoughfully. "Let's make a vase! You can give it to Vannis as a peace offering to get into the hold." She did not want to stress the man out on his first day. "You are practically a shoe in because you are an Inarta. Vannis is all about the spotlight. If he can get a little protoge like you in the hold he will be estatic." Faycia winked at Fenilen and pulled her glove back on. "Don't worry bird man. Everything will work out okay."

[Fenilen]

What was this woman thinking? There was no God of Volcanism and Fire! Those were the domains of Priskil, not some male God! These Vantha were odd, odd people, creating Gods instead of offering all of their respect to one of the most important Goddesses in the Pantheon. He shook his head, a look of disapproval on his face. "No no no, Priskil is the Goddess that domains over Light, Radiance, Hope, Fire, and Volcanism. This God that you pretend exists has no place in any Pantheon," He looked displeased again when she asked why he did not know of Ivak.

"I know not of him because he simply not exist. Do not speak to me this fictional character again," Fenilen rebuked, scowling as he went back to focusing on his work. Her flirting was lost upon deaf ears. He was entirely focused on his work. Not to mention, thoughts of Aidara had sneaked back into his fragile mind. Another frown. He hadn't been gone more than a few days, and he already missed her smile, her gait, her dark red curls...

He had a bad feeling this feeling of yearning would only get worse as his time in Avanthal grew longer. He, with a feeling of remorse, pushed her image out of his mind. Time to focus on his work. Besides, she may have fallen in with Them. Who was he kidding? She would never betray him like that... Would she?

Yet another frown. Finally, he forced all thought of her from his mind. Now was not the time to be distracted. He caught Faycia's sultry glance from the corner of his eye. She was still making advances. Ignore them. She could be with Them. He could not trust anyone who could be with Them. They would stop at nothing to dispose of him, They were everyone and no one! A knife between his ribs would be what he woke up to if he crawled between the sheets with this woman!

A vase. Simple enough, he had made many before in his time in Wind Reach. He silently grabbed a clay cone, pushing it through the top of his piece to form the mouth. More quiet humming and other prayers in Nari. Hm. In a shoe. Odd term, he had never heard it before. In fact, what was a shoe? A puzzled look played across his face. No matter, if he could get into the Hold, and by extension, have employment and food for the season, it would all be well, well worth the effort. He did not want to come all this way only to freeze to death because he did not have a place to spend the night, after all!

[Cheshire]

Obviously the fumes from the volcano had gotten to the man's brain. He had lived in a volcano! How could he not know of the God Ivak. Faycia decided to drop the topic though. There was no sense in fighting with the Inarta. He seemed shaken up enough as it was. "What ever you say bird man…" Faycia shot him a sultry smile and then looked back down at her molten glass. Although she was enjoying the conversation with Fenilen she needed to focus back on her work. The molten glass was returned to the fire once more and then rolled on the table when it had become more malleable. Next came the Vantha's favorite part of making her art. "I'm sure from here on out you know what you are doing. If not, now is when we do my favorite part. We are going to blow the glass." She smiled at Fenilen and placed her lips on the metal pipe and blew. Once she was satisfied with the amount of air she moved her finger over the opening of the pipe and placed it there. This made the air able to bubble and expand the glass. She looked over at Fenilen and smiled. "I would love to help you blow your glass but as you can see my hands are a little preoccupied at the moment." She looked the Inarta from head to toe and gave him a little nod. "After things… cool down you take a piece of wood and start to shape the glass. Please tell me if I am telling you things you already know."

[Fenilen]

Something told the Inarta that the clay glass pipe was not all Faycia liked to blow. And he was quite certain that it wasn't his glass she wanted to blow. He also brought the pipe up to his lips, balancing it awkwardly in his hands as he blew through the pipe. Silent eyes watched as the air bubble within the glass expanded more and more. When it finally grew to the size he wanted, a quick puff of air formed the vase's second skin on the inside of the vase, so that it was made water tight. One last quick examination convinced him that it was good enough. A block of wood found its way to his hands, which guided it to the cooling glass. A practiced hand rotated the glass quickly, whilst the other hovered over the surface of the glass, slicing the bits he did not want from the red-hot object.

Eventually, after many trips to the reheating furnace, Fenilen managed to get it into the shape of a vase. Victory! A pair of metal pliers went into the red-hot glass, pulling a blob out behind it. This blob curved downwards and reconnected to the vase, forming a handle. The same was repeated for the other side, making a vase with handles. Huzzah! A few more turns, just to inspect it for flaws, and then the vase was placed into the final furnace, so that it could cool. Hopefully, the people of Avanthal were not entirely new to the art of blowing glass, and knew how to properly guide down the temperature of the furnace to prevent his work from cracking as it cooled.

With a satisfied expression on his face, he clapped his hands together and wrapped his scarf around his shoulders loosely once more. A quick examination of his chest and arms found no new burns or cuts. Mission accomplished. A vase had been made, and he was no worse for wear. Hurrah! Silently, the Inarta settled into one of the many seats in the room, simply wanting to close his eyes and drift off to sleep. But no! He could not!

Now that he was away from the warmth and comforting familiarity of the furnace, he was back to the way he had been minutes ago. His eyes darted hastily across the room at every sound or movement-- especially those made by Faycia. He couldn't trust her. No no no no. No trusting her! But the way she walked was just so enamoring, her voice so tempting... A quick shake of the head kicked these thoughts from his mind. He had to stay strong. Those thoughts were exactly what They trained her to make him think!

[Cheshire]

Although Faycia expected the Inarta to be skilled she was pleasantly surprised when she saw him working. The Inarta truly were as good as people said they were at glass blowing. He worked with a well practiced hand and after a while Faycia stopped giving direction. It was clear the man knew what he was doing. It did not take him too long to slip into the rhythm of using a Vantha furnace in place of the ones used in Wind Reach. Once the red haired man finished his repetitive visits to the furnace and the table where the shaping was he collapsed onto one of the chairs that were scattered throughout the shop. Faycia walked to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Excuse me Inarta, that is my seat. Although, we could share." With a smile Faycia sat down on his lap and wrapped an arm around Fenilen. "Okay, I've taught you how to use our furnaces, now we can have a little fun right?" She pulled him close and placed her lips right next to his ear. "I bet you are happy you came to Avanthal now." She kissed his cheek and cuddled closer to him. Her eyes turned a lush light pink as she smiled at him. "Tell me about Wind Reach. Do you ride the eagles? I've never been anywhere but Avanthal." Faycia was happy where she was although at times she wished she could venture a little. "I hope Vannis accepts you into the hold. Then we can see each other all the time." She ran her finger in waving patterns on Fenilen's chest and then trailed the line up to his lips. "I'll even put in a good word with Vannis. Anything to get a cutie like you into the hold."

[Fenilen]

When Faycia approached Fenilen and declared he had settled down in her seat, he flushed, and went to stand up, murmuring apologies. Of course, those apologies were quickly staunched, as was his movement, as she placed herself in his lap, an arm snaking its way around his shoulders. The boy's pale face turned bright red, and his body shuddered once as he shifted uneasily, eyes darting. "I guess," he managed to stutter out, still a fiery red. Then, her lips came close to his ear, brushing against it as she whispered quietly. Fenilen's entire body shuddered as waves of teasing pleasure ran down from the side of his head to his neck. The question in her words cause a little bit of emotional turmoil in the boy. Was it right for him to be getting so close to her? Nothing was stopping him. There was no one waiting to do something like this with his back home... He wasn't breaking any promises by doing something like this.

His eyes drifted down to his freshly healed hands, scars lacing the palms. A small frown came to his eyes as he remembered the incident behind the fresh scars, and the woman who had treated them. Addy. She was something else... Still, he held no promises to her, nothing like this. If Faycia was with Them, he would already be dead, anyway. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad to loosen up for one day... Maybe...

Fenilen's face turned red again as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek, in a manner similar to the way Addy would. Another small shudder as she cuddled closer to him. Her warmth was felt on his bare chest, despite her thicker clothing. "Maybe just a little. I miss home," he managed to say softly. Slowly, uncertainly, one of his arms wrapped around her waist, clinging tightly to her, for both warmth and comfort.

"I don't ride the Eagles, but some of us do. The ones that they choose do," he said softly, trying to explain. "The Endal, they ride them out in the day, and hunt in the mountains. They camp while the eagles fish, and then they all come back after a few days. They're beautiful animals, and they talk to our people..." he trailed off, as she began to speak about how she hoped Vannis would let him into the Hold. Wait, so they could see each other more? Was she trying to start something? His train of thought was broken as her fingers distractingly made their way up his bare chest to his lips, hovering on them for a moment. His free arm draped over her legs, as his eyes looked up into hers defenselessly, studying the pink shade. His head then settled down on her shoulder, a quiet sigh leaving his lips. He had needed someone to cuddle with more than he knew.

[Cheshire]

Soft arms wrapped around Fenilen's body. Faycia was not used to being the one to comforted her partner in cuddling. She was always willing to try new things though. "Poor baby, I bet you miss your home." She kissed his forehead and ran her fingers through his hair. Her eyes darkened to a rich shade of purple as she held him close. This boy was foreign and he was unknown. There were no other women in the city who would have seen him yet and he was so much different than the Vantha and Kelvic that made up the majority of the city. Faycia's fingers twirled through Fenilen's hair as she wore the smile of a beautiful predator. She would not hurt him. She would never hurt anyone intentionally. She was drawing him in though. She was bringing him in close for a taste of something new. "Tell me about Wind Reach Fenilen. Tell me about your home and I'll tell you all you need to know about mine." Her eyes faded to a deep sapphire color and she pulled the ribbon from her hair. Her long black and red hair fell around her face and rested on her shoulders. "I want to know all about you Fenilen." She rubbed his shoulder with her hand and smiled at him. She was not going to let this man go. As long as Drakal did not show up this night would be completely perfect.

[Fenilen]

"I do," she heard him whisper softly. The Inarta crawled closer into her embrace, bare chest pressing against her, head laying on her shoulder as she let her hair fall down around his face. Soft breaths brought to him the smell of flowers, an intoxicating aroma that sucked him further and further down the path she wished for him to tread. All Fenilen wanted to do was nestle up against her and forget about the world. Forget about Them, forget about his duties, forget about Addy and Sai and Emory, forget about everything, just stay there in the comfort her arms provided forever, stay there and breathe in that addicting scent. Arms wrapped around her tighter instinctively as her hand rubbed his shoulder, her soft arms holding him softly.

When she finally asked him to tell her about Wind Reach, the response did not come for a long while. "It's built into the side of Mount Skyinarta. It is by her will that we live," he said softly, his fingers playing with the edges of her hair as he spoke. "Within Wind Reach, we have a system of classes. The Endal are the Eagle Riders, the hunters and warriors of our people. Beneath them are the Avora, the talented artisans and artists. Lower, the Chiet, the commoners, the masses. Then, the Yasi, the children, whom have not yet been assigned to a caste. Finally, the Dek. The Dek are worthless. Whatever they are told to do, they must perform, at the penalty of death. To be a Dek is the worst thing that could happen to anyone. It is worth than death," he continued on, fingers still playing with her hair, eyes still shut silently. After a few more moments of silence, they finally opened, and the Inarta sat up, looking her in the eyes.

Now was the time where he could choose. Now was where he said no, told her to leave, remained with the memories of Aidara and Sairque. But, with those good memories came painful ones. He remembered the wailing scream of the ghost child, the freezing cold that washed over his body, the horrifying images of his mother's death and his following incineration, the paralysis he had suffered as he froze to death at the whim of a ghostly child. Or, he could succumb to her will, wash those memories away, stay with her for the night, forget about his burdens, stay with that smell, that comforting warmth, those beautiful eyes. A quiet breath came in. His mind screamed for him to deny her, to flee, to savor the memories of his friends and family, but his heart screamed louder.

He spoke from his heart, softly and honestly. "I don't want to remember," his eyes gazed into hers helplessly as his lips parted. "I just want to forget it all. It's too painful. All too painful," arms tightened around her as the helpless gaze continued. The poor boy was like puddy in her fingers.

[Cheshire]

"You do not need to remember. I'll take care of you Inarta." Faycia pulled Fenilen close and kissed him. She laughed as he played with her hair. "Your land sounds beautiful. I would love to visit some day. I know I will not but it is a nice thought right?" She ran her fingers down his arm and back up again. His skin was soft, quite unlike an inarta. The man had been away from home for a while though. "Now that my teaching is over let's play for a little bit." Her eyes turned a playful shade of blue as she pulled her shirt off. Underneath she was left with a camisole and her pants. Those were likely to come off soon though. "I'm going to show you how warm Avanthal really can be. The city may be cold but here, in the glass shop, here is the hottest place in Taldera." She leaned forward and kissed Fenilen on the lips. When she pulled away her eyes were bright red, the color of lust. "Do you like that? I bet the Inarta women were not as gentle as me. We are very gentle in Avanthal. That is of course, unless you don't want me to be. I can be rough if you want. I can be anything you want." She kissed him again gripping hard to his shoulder. "Just tell me what you want? I'll make your dreams come true." She crossed her arms in front of her and pulled her camisole off leaving her wearing only her pants and bra. She ran her fingers through her hair and smiled, her red eyes shining. "You aren't missing Wind Reach right now are you? I'll make sure you love Avanthal Fenilen. Love being the operative word."